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Research using non-toxic bacteria to fight high-mortality cancers prepares for clinical trials

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a non-toxic bacterial therapy, BacID, to deliver cancer-fighting drugs directly into tumors. The therapy uses genetically engineered strains of Salmonella that can target tumors and control the release of cancer-fighting drugs inside cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 16, 2025

Research Spotlight: Improving liver cancer outcomes through enhanced immunotherapy

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in treating liver cancer, with a new study revealing the potential of anti-CXCR4 therapy to reprogram the 'cold' microenvironment. The combination of anti-CXCR4 and PD1 blockades enhances intratumoral dendritic cell activation and immune responses against hepatocellular carcinoma.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Immunology Research·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2024

Combined screening can detect liver damage in diabetes patients

A new study published in Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that a combined screening approach can detect liver damage in people with type 2 diabetes. The method involves elastography, an ultrasound-based technique, which was found to be willing to be adopted by most patients. Early detection of liver fibrosis is crucial, as ...

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalThe Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology·DateDec 12, 2024

New research reveals two types of fatty liver disease

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified two types of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, a liver-specific type and a systemic type that affects other organs. The discovery could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of this growing patient group, with potential benefits for cardiovascular health.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Medicine·DateDec 9, 2024

Burden of liver cancer attributable to hepatitis B and alcohol globally, in China, and for five sociodemographic index regions from 1990 to 2021

This study analyzed liver cancer epidemiological trends attributed to hepatitis B and alcohol use, revealing substantial increases globally and in China. The burden varies by gender and age, with males and those aged 40-75 years bearing a higher risk.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateNov 13, 2024

New study determines higher dosage for radioembolisation to treat liver cancer, improves survival rates by almost 15 months and facilitates curative treatment

A new study has found that using a higher dosage of radioembolisation treatment with yttrium-90 microspheres can improve overall survival outcomes for liver cancer patients. Patients who received this elevated dose had significantly better results, with some experiencing prolonged survival and even curative treatments.

SourceSingHealth·JournalLiver Cancer·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 9, 2024

Duke-NUS alumnus and mentor develop new precision tool to better predict outcomes for patients with liver cancer

A new algorithm, Modified Metroticket, has been developed to predict overall survival and recurrence-free survival in patients with intermediate-stage liver cancer. The tool takes into account tumour burden, biological aggressiveness, liver function, and age, and has been validated using local and international datasets.

SourceDuke-NUS Medical School·JournalInternational Journal of Surgery·DateOct 8, 2024

Histotripsy liver tumor trial successful, early clinical adoption recommended

The #HOPE4LIVER trial demonstrated the safety and efficacy of histotripsy as a treatment for primary and metastatic liver tumors, achieving a 95% technical success rate. The procedure's non-invasive nature and ability to spare critical vessels and bile ducts offer promising alternatives to traditional treatments.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalRadiology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateSep 24, 2024

Scientists discover how the body's killer cells attack cancer

Researchers have found that natural killer cells instinctively recognize and attack the XPO1 protein, which drives cancer growth. By targeting this protein, scientists may be able to activate more killer cells to destroy cancer cells. The study suggests that this approach could lead to personalized cancer treatment with less side effects.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalScience Advances·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateAug 28, 2024

Korea University offers new breakthrough for Hepatitis C to improve life expectancy

A new study by Korea University College of Medicine shows that direct-acting antivirals significantly reduce liver-related clinical outcomes and lower the risk of disease progression to cancer or cirrhosis, increasing life expectancy for patients with Hepatitis C. The treatment approach has a high effectiveness rate of 90%.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalEClinicalMedicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2024

Chinese Medical Journal study reframes guidelines for transarterial chemoembolization refractoriness in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment

The Chinese College of Interventionalists has introduced a consensus statement on TACE refractoriness in hepatocellular carcinoma, providing a framework for clinicians to identify and manage the condition. This move aims to optimize treatment strategies and improve patient outcomes, particularly in China where HCC incidence is high due...

SourceCactus Communications·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSurvey·DateAug 20, 2024

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy may facilitate surgery and improve outcomes for patients with high-risk liver cancer

Patients with high-risk liver cancer who received neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery had comparable outcomes to those who received surgery upfront. Successful resection rates were higher among those treated with immunotherapy, leading to improved median recurrence-free survival.

SourceAmerican Association for Cancer Research·JournalCancer Research Communications·DateAug 15, 2024

Surprising origins for a rare cancer

Researchers have discovered that a rare liver cancer called fibrolamellar carcinoma is not caused by the fusion of two genes, but by the overexpression of a protein called protein kinase A. This finding has potential to reveal pathways for broad range of cancers and offer new treatment possibilities.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalCancer Research·DateJun 18, 2024

Older, poorer, Black, Medicaid beneficiaries less likely to be placed on liver transplant lists

A new study has identified disparities in liver transplant referral and evaluation that occur before waitlisting for patients with early-stage liver cancer. These disparities affect older, poorer, Black, and Medicaid beneficiaries, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve equity in access to liver transplantation.

SourceRegenstrief Institute·JournalCancer Research Communications·DateJun 10, 2024

Researchers identify biomarkers in blood to predict liver cancer

A new study suggests that proteins detectable in the blood could improve predictions about risk of liver cancer, potentially leading to earlier therapeutic interventions. The researchers used proteomics to develop a prediction model and identified 56 plasma proteins associated with liver cancer.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2024

Targeted liver cancer treatment kills cancer cells and cuts chemo side effects

Researchers have developed a new treatment that uses tailored doses of anti-cancer drugs released directly into the surgical cavity to treat liver cancer. The approach has shown promise in reducing recurrence rates and minimizing chemotherapy side effects, with potential applications for other types of cancer.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalInternational Journal of Pharmaceutics·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2024

Immune evasion tactics of liver cancer cells revealed

A faulty beta-catenin gene helps tumours evade immunity by stopping tumor cells releasing message-containing cargoes called exosomes. Silencing mutant-beta-catenin could be a viable therapeutic strategy to trigger immune cell infiltration and increase tumour-to-immune cell communication.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateMar 19, 2024

Maternal obesity may promote liver cancer

A study found that maternal obesity increases the risk of developing liver disease and liver cancer in offspring, due to the transmission of an altered gut microbiota. The risk is significantly higher in mice fed a junk food diet, highlighting the importance of microbiome health.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalJHEP Reports·TypeNews article·DateMar 12, 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma incidence and mortality in the USA by sex, age, and race: A nationwide analysis of two decades

Recent US nationwide data reveal rising HCC incidence and mortality rates primarily affecting men and older adults. The study highlights disparities among racial/ethnic groups and underscores the need for targeted early detection, intervention, and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology·DateFeb 21, 2024

Korea University researchers unveil benefits of perioperative radiotherapy for treating liver cancer with high recurrence risk

Korea University researchers found that perioperative radiotherapy significantly improves survival rates among HCC patients at high risk of recurrence. The study suggests that radiotherapy can reduce recurrence and improve survival in these patients, providing a significant adjuvant treatment option.

SourceKorea University College of Medicine·JournalInternational Journal of Surgery·TypeSystematic review·DateFeb 6, 2024

#ASC2024: Ethnicity as survival predictor for gastric cancer, early liver retransplantation, risk factors for chemical restraint use among adult trauma patients and more

UCLA surgeons and scientists present research on ethnic predictors of gastric cancer survival, early liver retransplantation and risk factors for chemical restraint use in adult trauma patients. The studies highlight the importance of understanding these factors to improve patient care.